A qualitative analysis of Turkish stakeholders perspective for improving medical tourism

Abstract

This qualitative study explores from Turkish medical tourism stakeholders' perspective the supply‐side driving factors for improving medical tourism services in Turkey and provides positive healthcare experience to medical travelers. Five groups of stakeholders (27 participants) were interviewed: hospitals/medical centers, medical travel‐agencies, medical‐legal regulators, government, and non‐government organizations. Findings show that Turkey has a dual‐sector public and private model of medical tourism service providers. Four interrelated themes with policy implications were generated: medical tourism promotion, logistics and development initiatives, medical cost, hospital quality accreditation, and other issues related to medical‐legal, government incentives for Turkish diaspora, and promoting Turkish medical tourism overseas.

Exploring the challenges for medical tourism in the United Arab Emirates during the Covid-19 pandemic era: a stakeholder perspective

“…The globalization of medical tourism depends on factors identified in the literature as affordability, accessibility, waiting time, human and technological factors, and JCI-accredited quality of healthcare (Cesario, 2018;Connell, 2013;Collins et al, 2022;Turner, 2011). Factors that limit medical tourism are language barriers, cultural, structural and financial constraints, visa regulations, destination image perceived value and lack of information (Collins et al, 2022;Habibi et al, 2022;Young et al, 2019). Older people, women and unskilled workers are least willing to travel to seek healthcare, even where substantial cost savings are involved (Connell, 2013).…”

“…Themes identified from the two phases of interviews pre-and during Covid-19 (Figure 5) confirm the attributes that were cited in the literature as key factors attracting medical tourists to the UAE, besides the challenges faced by the medical tourism professionals and stakeholders. Factors such as access (Cesario, 2018) accredited quality of medical care (Aydin and Karamehmet, 2017;Mary, 2014;Collins et al, 2022) and positive Exploring medical tourism in the UAE personal interactions with the medical staff are related to establishing trust and patientphysician relationships (Amouzagar et al, 2016).…”

“…The globalization of medical tourism depends on factors identified in the literature as affordability, accessibility, waiting time, human and technological factors, and JCI-accredited quality of healthcare (Cesario, 2018; Connell, 2013; Collins et al. , 2022; Turner, 2011).…”

“…, 2022; Turner, 2011). Factors that limit medical tourism are language barriers, cultural, structural and financial constraints, visa regulations, destination image perceived value and lack of information (Collins et al. , 2022; Habibi et al.…”

“…Aydin and Karamehmet (2017) suggested that familiar cultural factors such as religion and languages in the host country (Turkey) were cited as key factors by 83% of patient respondents and 79% of health professionals when selecting a medical travel destination. Collins et al. (2022) found that Turkey considers the UAE to be a direct competitor in the region and that Turkey needs to improve affordability, hospital accreditation and medical-legal issues.…”